As End Of Season Nears, Ausmus More Impressed Than Ever By Hunter
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
COMERICA PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter made a believer out of new Tigers manager Brad Ausmus this season.
At 39-years-old, Hunter is not the same player who once wowed fans with spectacular catches in the outfield. His play no longer quite reaches the standard he established earlier in his career as a perennial All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner.
Some have wondered how long Hunter can continue to play well, and for a little while this summer, Ausmus could be counted among that group.
"There was a point in the middle of the season where in my mind it crept in that maybe age was catching up with Torii, but man, he proved me wrong," Ausmus said. "He really did because he's played extremely well down the stretch here."
Hunter left a game with a leg cramp June 16, and when he returned after a eight-day layoff, he struggled mightily. His first seven games back in action, Hunter went 3 for 28, good for an average of .107.
It did not take long, however, for Hunter to allay any worries Ausmus had.
"I think after he had the leg injury he came back and he was swinging the bat well and not getting any hits for, I don't know, five or seven days, and then he started getting hits, and then he started to get on a hot streak, and that's when I thought to myself, 'Geez, this guy might not be done,'" Ausmus said. "I don't see any reason why this guy couldn't keep playing. I don't think anyone would if they watched him."
After struggling through that initial seven-game stretch following his return from injury, Hunter recorded 13 hits in the next six games. He went on to hit .364 in the month of July. He continued hitting well, finishing August with a stretch of 14 hits in eight games, good for a .452 average.
Hunter has stayed hot in September, hitting .321 in 19 games this month. As the Tigers have battled to stay on top of the American League Central Division, Hunter has provided a boost. In 12 games between Sept. 7 and Sept. 20, Hunter produced nine multi-hit games.
"He's a remarkable, remarkable player, and his clubhouse presence is so valuable to boot," Ausmus said. "I really can't say enough good things about Torii. I played against him, I never really knew him, but he's been a huge asset for me, not only on the field but in the clubhouse."
